Adrien Hamilton and Kate Poroszok of Keen Designs
www.keen-designs.net
Your Bio:We are friends and Keen Designs is our collaboration. We started making jewelry together one year to give away as holiday gifts and eventually started a small business. I have a BFA from the craft department at VCU and Kate is just naturally crafty.
How long have you been a crafter or designer?Keen has existed for about four years but I think we've both been creating/designing for most of our lives in one way or another.
Describe your business and work.
We make the jewelry we want to wear. Our designs are pretty and delicate but with weird little surprises- tiny spikes, wee skulls, that kind of thing. We like using tiny semi-precious stones, sterling silver, and a variety of pearls, charms and branch coral.
How did you get started with your craft?Both my parents are artists and I grew up in a very creative environment so we were always making, creating, drawing, designing something. Kate's mom is a knitter/felter/beader/quilter and clearly it rubbed off on her. She's much craftier than I am - I only do jewelry but she can knit and sew and had a great eye for color. I can't even wrap a gift without making it look like my cat did it.
Do you have a particular item you want featured? Why this item?We make a variety of tiny earrings that I fear get overlooked. They are small (and inexpensive!) but really pop because our stones are good quality. It's the perfect balance for a holiday outfit when you don't want to be too blingy, but also don't want to be boring with the pearl studs or whatever.
Where do you make your work?
Describe your work space.
It's my couch. I make jewelry with a tray in my lap while my cats fight for space. I believe Kate fights the same battle on her couch with her dogs. We love our television, what can I say.
Your favorite place to eat in Richmond?
We both like to go to Can Can but really, the best place to eat is at home. We both cook quite a bit.
Your favorite place in Richmond?
For me I really love Carytown. I grew up two blocks from there and it's a really fun way to shop local.
Did you grow up in Richmond or go to school here? If not what brought
you to Richmond?
I grew up in Richmond and went to VCU. Kate came to Richmond to attend college at UR and stayed. Now most of her immediate family lives here too.
Got a pet?
Between us we have five pets. Kate has two dogs and I have three cats.
Anything else you want to share with the world?
Shop local! Shop handmade!
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